The Command to Prostrate on Seven Limbs
① Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded us to prostrate on seven limbs. And we should not gather the hair or clothes. The seven limbs are: the forehead (including the nose), both hands, both knees, and both feet.
Rules of Sujood Sahw
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
إن أحدكم إذا قام يصلي جاءه الشيطان فلبس عليه حتى لا يدري كم صلى فإذا وجد ذلك أحدكم فليسجد سجدتين وهو جالس
“When any one of you prays, Satan comes to him and confuses him so that he does not know how many rak’ahs he has prayed. When any one of you faces such a situation, he should perform two prostrations while sitting.”
② It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Ja’far (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
من شك فى صلاته فليسجد سجدتين بعد ما يسلم
“If a person doubts his prayer, he should perform two prostrations after giving salam.”
Rulings of Sujood al-Tilawah (Prostration of Recitation)
① Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
إذا قرأ ابن آدم السجدة فسجد اعتزل الشيطان يبكي ويقول يا ويلته أمر ابن آدم بالسجود فله الجنة ، وأمرت بالسجود فأبيت فلي النار
“When the son of Adam recites the verse of prostration and performs the prostration, Satan steps back and begins to weep, saying: Alas! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate and he prostrated, and for him is Paradise, whereas I was commanded to prostrate and I refused, and I am deserving of Hell.”
② Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates, when the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم recited the surah containing prostration, he would prostrate and we would also prostrate, so much so that except for the time of prayer, none of us would find a place to put his forehead.
Commands Regarding Prostration of Thankfulness
① Sayyiduna Abu Bakrah رضي الله عنه narrates that when the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was presented with a pleasing matter or received good news, he would prostrate before Allah Almighty to express gratitude.
